By Adedapo Adesanya
As the year enters into the ember months, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued safety guidelines to travellers in order to safely guide commuters during the period.
This was disclosed by the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Oyeyemi explained that the Corps has also begun the nationwide campaign in order to minimise the tendencies of crashes and gridlocks in the next four months of the year.
He called on the motoring public to make the year 2020 ’ember’ months unique and crash-free by adhering strictly to road traffic regulations.
Mr Oyeyemi cautioned motorists to note that the end of the year was not naturally tragic and was not in any way different from other months of the year.
He said the only difference is the increase in vehicular movements witnessed during the season.
The Corp Marshal debunked the myth that the last four months of the year commonly referred to as ember months were hazardous to motorists.
He said, ”It is very possible to drive without being involved in a crash as long as motorists obey and adhere strictly to traffic laws and ensure constant maintenance of their vehicles.”
Mr Oyeyemi advised commuters to maximise alternative means of transportation by patronising the train stations which are available in order to reduce the pressure on the road transportation sector.
He stated that the travelling public must start thinking about transport sharing as early as possible to reduce pressure on the road as this would further reduce incidences of road traffic crashes.
“Family and friends are further admonished to plan and travel in phases, so as to avoid the cluster of traffic during the ember months,” he said.
The Corps Marshal stressed the need to imbibe caution when choosing the vehicles to board especially for long-distance trips.
He admonished commuters to patronise safe and secure mass transit companies that have been duly certified to operate, adding that it would make room for redundancy plans in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
He noted that night trips were not as safe as day trips and travellers must try as much as possible to plan their trips within the hours of the day because of visibility and fatigue factors on the side of the driver.
Mr Oyeyemi also warned that all travelling protocols for COVID-19 must be strictly adhered to.
“The enforcement on 50 per cent carrying capacity for all vehicles targeted at creating adequate physical distancing is still in place, and the Corps will not spare any fleet operator caught violating these directives,” he said.
The FRSC boss maintained that fleet operators must religiously follow all safety precautions, observe preventive measures against the dreaded virus and comply with every travelling directives already in place.
“Terminals and parks are expected to double up their efforts in providing adequate running water with soap and sanitiser in their parks and terminals.
“While maintaining physical distancing, all vehicles must have sanitizers inside them and avoid as much as possible, the use of air conditioner among others,” he said.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka